Srinagar, June 15 -- By Sahil Manzoor Bhatti

The first light touches Raiyar-Ich and the village stirs with birdsong.

Lush forests wrap the slopes, while the Sukhnag River murmurs through the valley like a gentle melody. Stars crowd the clear night sky, and bees hum among vibrant blooms.

This corner of Tehsil Khansahib in District Budgam feels alive with colour and calm. Travellers who arrive here discover more than scenery. They meet a community rooted in generations of harmony.

Raiyar-Ich sits just 12 kilometers from Srinagar's bustling Lal Chowk, but it belongs to a different pace.

The village forms a Panchayat Halqa with nine wards, including Bhatti Mohallah, Dinda Mohallah, Tantray Mohallah, Sheikh Mohallah, and Khan Mohallah. Lo...